June 28-July 2, 2010

Today in the News Media

Today in the News Media is a synopsis of some of the most prominent coverage of OSU people and programs. Inclusion of any item constitutes neither an endorsement nor a critique, but rather is intended only to make the OSU community aware of significant items in the media.

“We have been working (in the Gulf) since 2003 and conducted five research cruises where we were looking at the impact of the Gulf of Mexico dead zone on natural resources,” said Stephen Brandt, director of the Oregon Sea Grant Program and a professor at Oregon State University.

Scientists are continuing to test water samples from various depths and areas in the Gulf to determine where the underwater oil is, and where it’s going, Jane Lubchenco said. She is a Ph.D. marine ecologist who taught at Harvard University and Oregon State University before being selected to head NOAA.

The Oregon state university system is enjoying a kind of perverse upside to recession economics. Enrollment is up 6 percent with more people out of work and interested in improving their chances for a job. (See also Democrat Herald)

If you think our National Parks are pristine, unspoiled places, a couple of new reports might make you think again. Researchers studied eight national parks and preserves between 2003 and 2005. Stacy Simonich was one of the researchers. She’s an associate professor of toxicology and chemistry at Oregon State University. (See also US News and World Report and Science 360)

After working most of the past decade to pull it off, Oregon’s thriving wine industry finally has a face to put with the notion of a coordinated statewide research effort. It comes with Oregon State University’s appointment of Neil Shay as first director of the 3-year-old Oregon Wine Research Institute.

Two Oregon State University scientists have been named lead authors for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report, which will be issued in 2013, OSU said in a news release Wednesday.

Seas were calm and warm as we made our way along 300-meter depth contour carrying out a zigzag transect for Oregon State University’s Kelly Benoit-Bird’s acoustic survey of squid in this area well north of Santa Rosalia. Instead of engaging in nautical or oceanographic activities that one would expect on an expedition like this, our group has sequestered itself in a small wet-lab equipped with a bench and a sink and an alcove to tuck away our experimental setup.

Allergy season is kicking in as the valley warms up for grass seed pollination after a cool, wet spring. But one good thing about all the rain this year is that it should not be as bad of a year for allergies, according to Oregon State University Extension field crop agent Tom Silberstein, who handles Marion and Clackamas counties.

Scientists are trying to get the upper hand in the war against the aggressive Humboldt squid, which uses tentacles and a beak to tear through its prey and seems to be more prevalent now on the Oregon Coast. To try to figure out why we’re seeing more of them on the coast, Oregon State University researchers are partnering with fishermen in what they call ‘Squid CSI.’

Oregon State University’s Bob De Carolis has been selected the 2010 recipient of the Under Armour West Region Athletic Director of the Year, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced Monday. (See also LIFE@OSU)

Oregon State University economist Bill Jaeger said one way to measure state spending is to consider how much cost it imposes on the overall economy. Since 1991, Oregon’s general fund has represented a steady 5 percent of Oregonians’ combined personal income — rising rapidly along with salaries and wages during Oregon’s prosperous late 1990s and falling during the recession of the early 2000s.

A $1.5 million upgrade to the Natural Products and Small Molecule Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility at Oregon State University was dedicated on June 23.

Today

Candidates for the position of Associate Provost for International Programs will be on campus starting June 28. The forums will include a 20 minute presentation, followed by Q&A. The following campus forums will be held in Strand Ag Room 111 and are open to all students, staff and faculty: June 28, 10:30–11:30 a.m.: Wolfgang Schloer, Interim Associate Provost, International Affairs, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign; June 30, 10:30–11:30 a.m.: Douglas Kincaid, Vice Provost, International Studies, Florida International University; and July 2, 10:30–11:30 a.m.: Susie Bender, Director, Office of International Students & Scholars, University of Nevada, Reno.

Tuesday

The next 13-week Weight Watchers At Work session begins on June 29. If you are a PEBB subscriber, your meeting fees will be fully subsidized. Providence carriers should call 800-878-4445 to get a WW access code. Kaiser Permanente members can call 866-301-3866 to get an access code. You will need your ID number from your Providence or Kaiser ID card. Next you need to call the WW/Pebb number 866-454-2144 and ask for a confirmation code. They will mail that code to you and you will present that confirmation code at the first meeting of the 13 week session on June 29th. For more information, contact Kathi at 541-737-3106.

Wednesday

Shanghaied on the Willamette will play in the MU Lounge on Wednesday, June 30. This band combines traditional Celtic, English, and Old-Time American music with vocal harmonies, fiddle, bodhran guitars, mandola, tin whistles, harmonica and banjo. The Wednesday Noon Concert Series takes place on the MU brick mall on the east side of the Quad (or MU Lounge, weather permitting).

News for Employees

NEW! In order to comply with City of Corvallis street standards and requirements of the OSU Master Plan, 15 trees along 26th Street are being removed. The good news is that more than 80 trees will be added to this area as part of the Student Facilities Improvement Plan. Get more information on the plan and see illustrations of what the upgraded area will look like online at the Recreational Sports website.

NEW! The Research Office is now accepting applications for the Faculty Release Time (FRT) for 2010-11 release for Winter term 2011 or Spring term 2011. Applications are due in the Research Office by Aug. 16. The complete program description, application materials and proposal criteria may be accessed on the Research Office website: http://oregonstate.edu/research/incentive/frt.htm If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Delmore at 541-737-8390 or debbie.delmore@oregonstate.edu

NEW! The Research Office, Incentive Programs is requesting Letters of Intent for the National Science Foundation – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program Centers (STEP Centers) 2010 from interested faculty. This is a limited submission program. Guidance for preparation of Letters of Intent to the Research Office may be accessed at: http://oregonstate.edu/research/incentive/stepsctr.html. Complete NSF – STEP Centers guidelines may be accessed at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10569/nsf10569.htm. Submission deadline to the Research Office is Monday, July 12and should be sent electronically as a MS Word or PDF document to debbie.delmore@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-8390.

Play an important part in driving the future forward. Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. is bringing 150 new Prius Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles to the U.S. this summer to determine how drivers will use and re-charge the cars. One car will be stationed in Corvallis for one year, starting July 2010. Toyota is looking for four Corvallis residents age 21 and over, including at least one OSU affiliate, to participate. A check-in and check-out process will facilitate each two month driving cycle. Randomly selected drivers will use the vehicles as they would their personal vehicles. Entry deadline is July 5. Winners will be announced at the da Vinci Days festival in July. For more information and to enter, visit http://www.davincidays.org/science–tech/prius-plug-in-hybrid-electric-vehicles- Questions? Call Mayor Charlie Tomlinson, (541) 758-4090, or Brandon Trelstad, (541) 737-3307.

The search committee for the Student Health Services Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator has invited three candidates to visit OSU for on-campus interviews. Each candidate will do a public presentation and then be available for questions. Candidates have been asked to “provide an example of a 40 minute alcohol presentation that you would deliver to a first-year experience orientation class.” Open forums for the candidates will be held at 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 8 in MU 211; and 11 a.m. to noon Friday, July 9 in MU 211. Participation is welcome.

Facilities Services now has the summer issue of the Campus Works newsletter posted on the main page of the Facilities Services website. This is a great way to learn about the various departments within facilities, as well as some of their hard-working employees. Campus Works can be found at http://oregonstate.edu/facilities/index.html.

OSU Extended Campus is seeking proposals from faculty/professional faculty for funding of professional development opportunities in support of distance-delivered OSU academic programs. Examples of supported professional development opportunities include, but are not limited to, conference attendance, workshops, tuition stipend for self-study, with specific focus on issues related to distance delivery of academic courses and programs and academic advising of distance student. For funding criteria, deadlines, and proposal application form, visit: http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/faculty/grant-proposal/

The Oregon State University Art Faculty Exhibit is on exhibit through Wednesday, Oct. 6 in Fairbanks Gallery, Fairbanks Hall. There will be a closing reception at noon Oct. 6. This exhibit features the works of faculty members who are working in the areas of photography, painting, drawing, mixed-media, printmaking, graphic design, sculpture and video. More information: 737-5009 or http://oregonstate.edu/fairbanksgallery/fairbanksgallery/Current_Exhibit_.html

Central Web Services is hosting several Drupal Boot Camps on July 27- 29, August 17- 19, and September 20- 22. Drupal Boot Camps is a three-day intensive workshop incorporating all existing core Drupal 6 workshops. In addition, two topics about using the OSU Brand Guidelines on the web, presented by staff from University Advancement’s Web Communications has been added. Register. Priority registration will be given to persons registering to attend the entire three-day camp. If you are requesting to attend for less than three days, please make your request via the help ticket system http://oregonstate.edu/cws/contact.

Many copiers contain hard drives and store the data copied, scanned, or printed. All copiers on campus are part of the Cost per Copy program provided by IKON and administered by Printing and Mailing Services. Of the 450 convenience copiers on campus, 75 percent of them have hard drives. Commencing immediately Printing & Mailing will overwrite the hard drive before it leaves the OSU department. The majority of the time this provides the level of security we need, however if you regularly scan, copy or print, student or staff personal data your department may want to replace the hard drive in the copier. This process can be facilitated by Printing and Mailing Services. Questions or concerns: contact Cheryl Lyons at 737-4075 or Cheryl.lyons@oregonstate.edu

The LaSells Stewart Center is accepting artwork for the 2010, Fifth Annual Community Exhibit, which will be installed for viewing in July. The deadline to submit artwork is Wednesday, June 30. This is a non-juried show, and is open to participants of all ages and skill levels. Only one submission will be selected from each artist. Artists may deliver their art Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. to the LaSells Stewart Center office. The Community Art Exhibit will be on display July 1 to July 31. A reception will take place on July 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information see www.oregonstate.edu/lasells/gallery

Did you know that as an OSU Faculty/Staff member you are eligible to purchase up to two discounted season tickets for Football? For the 2010 season, the OSU Faculty / Staff discounted rate is $ 204 per season ticket. Tickets are available at this time by visiting the Ticket Office in Gill Coliseum (Room 107), calling 541-737-4455 or 1-800-GO-BEAVS. The Ticket Office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Your OSU Staff ID number will be needed at the time you place your order.

Jobs

Administrative Program Specialist, Office of Risk Management, Oregon State University. OSU is seeking a full-time Specialist to focus on Insurance Compliance and Project & Program Development. For complete announcement and application, please go to: http://oregonstate.edu/jobs. Posting #0005783. Closes July 6. OSU is AA/EOE.

Event Assistant: Oregon State University is seeking a full-time individual to assist the Office of University Events in producing high-profile events for the campus. Duties include administrative support via phone, e-mail and in-person, as well as managing inventory and preparing event-related materials. Review the complete announcement, qualifications and apply at: jobs.oregonstate.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=56745. Search closes July 5.

The Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology invites applications for a full-time Office Manager/Assistant to the Department Head. This is a Professional Faculty position, reporting to the EMT Department Head. To apply see website: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu. Posting # 0005797. Closes: June 29.

OSU Extended Campus is seeking a Marketing Communications Coordinator (Public Information Representative 1) to join our Market Analysis & Development team. The individual will serve as editor and writer for our electronic newsletter, and also write press releases, post content to our website and social media accounts, and submit articles to news sources. This position is full-time and benefits eligible. For review of full position announcement or to apply, refer to our website http://oregonstate.edu/jobs/. Posting #0005727. Closes June 29.

OSU Extended Campus is seeking a full-time Marketing Project Manager to join our Market Analysis and Development team. The primary focus of this professional faculty position is to create and implement targeted marketing plans for Ecampus’ growing number of degrees and programs, including online bachelor’s & graduate degrees, OSU Summer Session, and non-credit programs. For review of full position announcement or to apply, refer to our website http://oregonstate.edu/jobs/. Posting #0005749. Closes June 29.

Academic Advisor, OSU’s College of Business invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, fixed-term Professional Faculty. The Academic Advisor assists undergraduate students with a full range of support including orientation, academic program planning and course selection, scholarship coordination, special event planning, career planning, and will work closely with the INTO OSU program which provides English language skills to international students wanting to be admitted to the OSU Business program. To review the posting and apply, go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs and search for Posting #0005771. Closes July 1.

Purchasing Analyst 3, Procurement & Contract Services, Oregon State University. OSU is seeking a full-time Purchasing Analyst to focus on contract administration, procurement activities and applying and interpreting laws, rules and policies. For complete announcement and to apply, go to posting number 0005723 at http://oregonstate.edu/jobs. Closes July 6.

OSU Extended Campus is accepting applications for a full-time Administrative Program Assistant (Course Coordinator) position, salary range of $2293-$3250/month. The Course Coordinator is responsible for maintaining accurate information about Ecampus courses, acquiring that information through multiple venues. This individual coordinates details related to the delivery of Ecampus credit courses, provides support services to instructors, maintains and communicates calendars, deadlines, policies and procedures to instructors and departments, and assists the Community College Coordinator in providing support to prospective students. To apply and for a complete position announcement see: http://jobs.oregonstate.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=56718. Closes: July 7.

Help is needed to teach computer classes in Owen Hall’s computer lab during the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp. The students are 54 middle school campers, in groups of 27 for the classes. You will present lessons and answer student questions. Topics include: internet safety, powerpoint, and excel basics for creating charts. Classes are two hours long, once a day, weekdays Aug. 3-12. There will be adult counselors in the classroom at all times to assist. Pay is $300. E-mail a resume, or contact Robin Galloway, camp director, at 541-967-3871 or robin.galloway@oregonstate.edu. This position will remain open until filled.

Traffic and Maintenance

NEW!26th and Jefferson: Due to road work in the intersection at Jefferson Way and 26th Street, partial closures and delays are to be expected. Beginning Thursday June 24 the entire intersection will be closed as the new concrete is placed. It will remain closed until Friday July 2 to allow for proper curing time.

NEW! Lot west of Motor Pool on Campus Way: Due to maintenance and repairs to the gravel lot west of the motor pool on campus way, this lot will be temporarily shut down and is to be free of all vehicles. The shutdown will begin at 6 a.m. on June 30 and should reopen by 4 p.m.

NEW! East side of Goss Stadium: Due to a boring operation under the railroad tracks associated with the INTO project approximately eight parking spaces at the southwest end of the parking lot east of Goss Stadium will be closed. This shutdown will begin at 6 a.m. June 27 and should end by 6 p.m. July 2.

30th Street & Campus Way/Jefferson Way & Sackett Place: Due to construction associated with the LPSC Project, 30th Street & Campus Way and Jefferson Way & Sackett Place will experience heavy construction related traffic June 17-Aug. 30. Be advised to use extreme caution when traveling in both directions of Campus Way and near Nash Hall.

Washington Way: Due to the construction of the outdoor recreation fields the parking lot at 26th street across from Gill and outside of the indoor Tennis Center will be temporarily closed for the summer. It is scheduled to reopen Sept. 10.

Campus Way: Due to construction associated with the Linus Pauling building, the lane to the north on Campus Way between 30th Street and Nash Hall will be temporarily shutdown through July 30. The sidewalk leading from the north at Campus Way to the entry of Nash Hall will also be fenced off to install new fire access to the northeast corner of Nash Hall.

Kearney Hall: Due to the reinstallation of auditorium seating in Kearny Hall, the Auditorium (room 112) will be temporarily shut down July 2-3.

Memorial Place: Due to sidewalk and parking lot adjustments for ADA parking, the Memorial Place parking lot (between Gilkey & Milam Hall) will be temporarily shut down and is to be free of all vehicles until June 30. It is recommended to use the adjacent lots next to Weniger Hall (east side) and Kelley Engineering (north side).

Campus: Due to construction associated with the ADA Path of Travel Improvements Project, existing concrete in numerous locations throughout campus will be removed and replaced. This work will affect numerous sidewalks, streets and parking lots throughout campus. Signage and traffic control will be in place to direct pedestrian and vehicular traffic as needed. Work should be complete by June 30.

Milam Hall: Both the men’s and women’s restrooms on the second floor of Milam will be temporarily shutdown for ADA compliance renovations. The shutdown will end by 5 p.m. July 2.

Weather

Corvallis: It’s going to be excruciatingly nice this week, as temperatures hover in the low 70s and the sun stays out, but with enough clouds to keep it from blinding us. The evenings will be partly cloudy with lows around 50. The gentle summer weather promises to keep us out of doors until the very last glimmer of sun leaves the sky each evening.

Central Oregon: Anyone stuck indoors this week will surely be suffering, as outside the temperatures will reach the low 70s with lots of good old fashioned Central Oregon sunshine. The nights will be crisp and clear with lows in the high 30s to low 40s. Time for a little star-gazing and some midnight strolls through the sagebrush.